News

The Party of European Socialists (PES) warmly welcomes the provisional outcome of the Albanian elections held on Sunday 23rd of June, which indicates a landslide victory of the Albanian Socialist Party (PSS), associate party of the PES.

However, the PES strongly condemns the violent incident that took place during the voting day in which an opposition activist was killed and a candidate was seriously injured.

Sergei Stanishev, PES President said: “I personally congratulate Edi Rama for the victory of PSS. A change in Albanian politics was desperately needed. This is what citizens were asking for. Edi Rama is now the right person to lead the country, to deliver on progressive policies and ensure social justice.”

Kristian Vigenin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria and PES Chair of the PES Western Balkans Task Force stated: “This is excellent news from Albania. These elections were crucial for its future and for its path towards EU membership. Much efforts need to be done now to implement reforms that were blocked during a very long political deadlock. I am looking forward to collaborate with the new progressive Albanian government.”

The PES remains fully committed to the enlargement process towards the Western Balkans through the organisation of various initiatives such its yearly Balkan Conference, its Task Force on Western Balkan Enlargement and its regular delegations in the Balkan countries.